Air Fryer Tortilla Chips Salsa

Featured in: Simple Everyday Comforts

This dish features corn tortilla pieces brushed with olive oil and seasoned, then air-fried to a satisfying crispness. The accompanying salsa blends diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, and spices to create a fresh, zesty complement. Together, they form a flavorful, light snack that’s easy to prepare and perfect for sharing. Customize with cumin or smoked paprika for extra depth, or add avocado or beans to the salsa for variety.

Updated on Wed, 19 Nov 2025 12:54:00 GMT
Golden, crispy air-fryer tortilla chips ready to be dipped into a vibrant homemade salsa. Save to Pinterest
Golden, crispy air-fryer tortilla chips ready to be dipped into a vibrant homemade salsa. | honeyprairie.com

Crispy, golden tortilla chips made in the air fryer served with a fresh, zesty salsa. An easy, budget-friendly snack perfect for sharing.

I first made these air fryer tortilla chips for a family get-together. They were so crunchy and flavorful that everyone kept asking for the recipe—especially the homemade salsa, which brought a zingy freshness to the table.

Ingredients

  • Small corn tortillas: Use 8 for a standard batch
  • Olive oil or spray oil: For crisping the chips
  • Sea salt: ½ tsp, enhances flavor
  • Chili powder (optional): Adds a subtle heat
  • Ripe tomatoes: 4 medium, diced for salsa
  • Red onion: ½ small, finely chopped
  • Jalapeño (optional): Seeded and minced for heat
  • Garlic: 1 clove, minced
  • Fresh cilantro: ¼ cup, chopped
  • Lime juice: From 1 lime, adds brightness
  • Salt: ½ tsp for salsa
  • Black pepper: ¼ tsp

Instructions

Preheat air fryer:
Set to 180°C (350°F) for best results
Cut tortillas:
Slice tortillas into wedges (6 or 8 pieces per tortilla)
Season chips:
Brush or spray tortilla pieces with olive oil, sprinkle salt and chili powder
Air fry chips:
Place in single layer, air-fry for 5 to 7 minutes, shake halfway and let cool on rack
Prepare salsa:
Mix tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper in bowl. Let sit 5 to 10 minutes
Serve:
Pair crispy chips with fresh salsa
A close-up of air-fryer tortilla chips, perfectly golden brown, served with fresh, chunky salsa. Save to Pinterest
A close-up of air-fryer tortilla chips, perfectly golden brown, served with fresh, chunky salsa. | honeyprairie.com

When my kids help make these chips, they love arranging the wedges on the rack and taste-testing the warm chips just out of the air fryer. It's become a fun family snack tradition for weekends.

Required Tools

Essential items include an air fryer, knife, cutting board, mixing bowls, and tongs for easy flipping.

Allergen Information

Recipe contains corn. Most corn tortillas are gluten-free but always verify with the label, especially if sensitive.

Nutritional Information

Each serving delivers about 170 calories, 6 g total fat, 28 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein.

Freshly made air-fryer tortilla chips, seasoned and ready to eat alongside a colorful salsa bowl. Save to Pinterest
Freshly made air-fryer tortilla chips, seasoned and ready to eat alongside a colorful salsa bowl. | honeyprairie.com

Serve these crunchy chips warm for the ultimate snacking experience. The fresh salsa adds just the right zest to every bite.

Questions & Answers

How do I get the chips crispy in the air fryer?

Brush the tortilla wedges lightly with oil and arrange them in a single layer. Air-fry at 180°C (350°F) for 5–7 minutes, shaking halfway to ensure even crisping.

Can I make the salsa spicier?

Yes, include the jalapeño seeds or add a pinch of chili powder to the salsa for extra heat.

What can I use if I don’t have an air fryer?

Oven baking at 180°C (350°F) on a lined tray until crispy (about 10–12 minutes) works well as an alternative.

How should I store leftover chips and salsa?

Store chips in an airtight container to maintain crispness for up to 2 days; keep salsa refrigerated in a sealed jar for up to 3 days.

Can I customize the salsa ingredients?

Absolutely. Adding diced avocado, corn, or black beans can enrich the salsa’s flavor and texture.

Air Fryer Tortilla Chips Salsa

Golden tortilla wedges crisped in air fryer, paired with fresh and vibrant salsa made from ripe ingredients.

Prep duration
10 minutes
Cook duration
10 minutes
Overall time needed
20 minutes
Recipe by Honey Prairie Abigail Greene


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine type Mexican-Inspired

Makes 4 Number of portions

Diet specifications Plant-based, No Dairy, No Gluten

What You'll Need

Tortilla Chips

01 8 small corn tortillas
02 2 tablespoons olive oil or cooking spray
03 ½ teaspoon sea salt
04 ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)

Homemade Salsa

01 4 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
02 ½ small red onion, finely chopped
03 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
04 1 clove garlic, minced
05 ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
06 Juice of 1 lime
07 ½ teaspoon salt
08 ¼ teaspoon black pepper

How to Make It

Step 01

Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.

Step 02

Prepare Tortilla Wedges: Cut each corn tortilla into 6 to 8 wedges.

Step 03

Season Tortilla Chips: Lightly brush or spray both sides of tortilla wedges with olive oil; sprinkle evenly with sea salt and chili powder if desired.

Step 04

Arrange Chips in Air Fryer: Place tortilla wedges in a single layer within the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary.

Step 05

Cook Tortilla Chips: Air fry for 5 to 7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through until chips are golden and crisp; transfer to a cooling rack.

Step 06

Combine Salsa Ingredients: In a bowl, mix diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

Step 07

Let Salsa Rest: Allow the salsa to sit for 5 to 10 minutes to meld flavors.

Step 08

Serve: Present the crispy tortilla chips alongside the fresh homemade salsa.

Essential tools

  • Air fryer
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Mixing bowls
  • Tongs or spatula

Allergy Details

Go through all ingredients to spot potential allergies. If unsure, check with a health expert.
  • Contains corn from the tortillas. Verify gluten status of tortillas if sensitive, as some may contain gluten.

Nutrition details (per portion)

Details for informational use only — not a substitute for a medical professional.
  • Energy (calories): 170
  • Lipids: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Proteins: 3 g